Justice League of America

[Mathachew Veteran]

I was reading up on some movie news and saw more information about the JLA. According to IESB.net, the Justice League will possibly have its own franchise, much like Superman and Batman.

I'll admit that I know nothing about the JLA, other than what pictures have shown me: Most, if not all, DC Comic super heroes band together to fight a common foe (this is the impression I get).

I haven't bothered looking at Wikipedia for more information, but I just feel that it's a dumb move doing this. It's already bad enough that we've had multiple people play a single role (Batman films from the past), but now we're going to have them virtually co-exist in the form of different franchises. All I keep seeing with JLA is something crappy like X-Men 3, or, God forbid, like Bloodrayne or Daredevil, or even a slightly better rendition than this.

I think at this point, making some kind of multi-hero flick is taking advantage of the headway that movies like Spider-Man and X-Men have made. Bring on sequels for them because there's lots to tell and they've been done (with the exception of the 3rd movies) extremely well, but JLA? The Man of Steel, the Dark Knight, Flash, Aquaman and many others sharing screen time? I just can't see this doing the individual characters, or the group as a whole, any justice.

Am I the only one who thinks having a multi-hero movie would be a bad move?

Edited September 18, 2007 by Mathachew

[Rappy Veteran]

I agree I think its really bad, I think they just need to stay on the separate movies rather then 1 big movie plus as far as I know they are casting all new batman and superman for it so why thats all I have to say.

[Spielo]

The Man of Steel, the Dark Knight, Flash, Aquaman and many others sharing screen time? I just can't see this doing the individual characters, or the group as a whole, any justice.

I could only ever accept one actor as Aquaman: Vincent Chase.

[markwolfe Veteran]

...

Am I the only one who thinks having a multi-hero movie would be a bad move?

The X-Men movies didn't suffer much from the multiple heroes (and villains). One might complain about other technical aspects of the movie or scripts, but having a team of good guys doesn't automatically mean bad movie.

[Rappy Veteran]

I could only ever accept one actor as Aquaman: Vincent Chase.

:laugh:!!!

Yeah he has to play Aquaman now!

[Mathachew Veteran]

The X-Men movies didn't suffer much from the multiple heroes (and villains). One might complain about other technical aspects of the movie or scripts, but having a team of good guys doesn't automatically mean bad movie.

X-Men was a little different because these are not iconic figures that hold a series/franchise on their own (except Wolverine). When you watch all three X-Men movies, there is a much different tone and way people are handled between the first two and the third. Of course they had different directors, but I can't see JLA getting away from what X-Men 3 was. All kinds of easter egg type or fan boy goodness, but over saturated and suddenly brought up only to then lose it quicker than you realize. Like the whole mutant power level thing. Not one mention throughout the first two movies, then they just bring it up like it's nothing in the third, as if it were critical to everything, and by the time a level 5 mutant was brought up, it was pretty much dropped (another aspect were the Sentinals, knowing full well a long time X-Men fan expected it, only to get it in a simulation). I can't see JLA being all that great with different actors portraying Superman and Batman while other movies are actively being made on these same characters, likely in a much better story and/or production, without having to share the screen with other big names.

I could be completely off base with my assumption that making a JLA movie will suck, but I just can't see it being at the same caliber as the Superman or Batman franchises, and my narrow view is limiting me to see it only as good as the worst comic book movie productions. I hope I'm wrong.

[acies]

Well It looks like it's going a head:

After months of rumors online, George Miller has been confirmed as the director of Warner Bros.' planned live-action Justice League of America movie, which will go before cameras by early 2008.

Variety reports that JLA, "which is in the initial phases of casting, is a pre-strike priority for the studio, which needs a superhero tentpole in 2009." JLA will not be a motion-capture film as previously reported, but rather an effects heavy live-action film.

JLA has proven to be a complicated process for Warners given its already established Batman and Superman franchises. Variety confirmed that "the next installment in the Superman franchise has taken a backseat to Justice League in part because Warners is so keen on the Justice League script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney."

The JLA roster will reportedly include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Aquaman. As for casting, Variety's sources informed them that Christian Bale and Brandon Routh probably won't be in the film as Batman and Superman, respectively.

There's still a very distinct possibility, however, that JLA could fall apart in the next few months. As Variety points out, "The project is so complicated -- and casting dependent -- that even those deeply involved in the project are holding their breath until production begins."

Source

All I can say is, I hope it fails to make it to filming. Chris Nolan, and Christian Bale have already cringed at the idea. And I think it's stupid to make a movie like this at all, let alone while the Batman and Superman franchises are going strong.

I really don't see how this movie could be any good.

[Rappy Veteran]

Well It looks like it's going a head:

Source

All I can say is, I hope it fails to make it to filming. Chris Nolan, and Christian Bale have already cringed at the idea. And I think it's stupid to make a movie like this at all, let alone while the Batman and Superman franchises are going strong.

I really don't see how this movie could be any good.

Yeah thats why I think this is gonna fail.

[Guest]

Adam Brody is The Flash.

http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/11/17/first-...f-america-cast/

[Rappy Veteran]

Not so sure with that cast but Brody is a good choice for the Flash.

[Ebi]

There are *rumors* that Tom Welling is going to play the Superman role

[Rappy Veteran]

Warner Brothers is expected to officially announce the cast of George Miller's Justice League of America in the coming week, most likely at Wizard World in Texas. However, multiple websites including IESB and AICN are reporting a few names so far, most of which have been confirmed by numerous sources, although it would be wise to still take all of this as a rumor. It looks like Justice League is finally really getting underway and things are on the move, which may be a bad thing. I almost don't want this to get started, but why not get it over with quicker. So who are the youngsters that have been cast?

Not all of them are young, but it's obvious that the story within this Justice League is focusing on younger heroes with a very young cast. Without further ado, here are the casting announcements that should have official confirmation arriving very soon.

Adam Brody (In the Land of Women, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, "The O.C.") will play The Flash / Wally West.

Rapper Common (Smokin? Aces, American Gangster, Wanted) will play Green Lantern / John Stewart.

Scott Porter (Music & Lyrics, Speed Racer, TV's "Friday Night Lights") will play Superman / Clark Kent.

Teresa Palmer (The Grudge 2, December Boys) will play Talia Al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul.

We're all familiar with Superman, so no need for extra explanation on him. Talia Al Ghul is the the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, who you may remember from Batman Begins. Ra's was played by Liam Neeson and was the one who tried to destroy Gotham City. In the Justice League world, Ra's was introcued in the "Tower of Babel" storyline and is one of the major villains of the DC comics universe. Talia is described as "not quite heroine nor villainess but more of an anti-hero" and is also a love interest of Batman.

Wally West is the human identity of The Flash, a superhero with incredible super-speed abilities, including breaking certain laws of physics and time travel. The Flash was originally introduced in 1940 and has had four different character versions, the original being Jay Garrick. Wedding Crashers? David Dobkin is directing a spin-off movie (it's not confirmed that it's a direct spin-off) following Justice League, and he's already made it known that he's choosing the Wally West version.

The Green Lantern, one of the most popular superheroes amongst comic book fans, possesses a power ring that gives the user great control over the physical world. The character was originally introduced in 1940 and like The Flash, also has a spin-off movie in the works under director Greg Berlanti. The Green Lantern's power is only limited by the bearer's imagination and willpower.

We'll bring you the news the moment it drops on the remainder of the cast and whatever other details are released. With that, I think it's time to go revisit that Justice League vs Avengers article[/b]. What do you think now, is Justice League looking any better?

[Source[/b]]

[Mathachew Veteran]

No, not looking better at all imho.

[Rappy Veteran]

The Justice League movie has been particularly rumoury of late, with all sorts of casting stories flying about. But recently many sites have been running their casting stories as 100% confirmed. Today, The LA Times has confirmed slashfilm.com's story that Adam Brody will play The Flash in George Miller's upcoming film.

We like Brody as a choice for The Flash aka Wally West. The character's apparently intended as the most comedic of the ensemble and Brody's brand of bemused sarcasm should fit well. Stop reading now if you don't want to know potential spoilers about the beginning of the Justice League movie.

Wally West is set to be the second Flash, with the movie opening with the funeral of previous Flash, Barry Allen. Young Wally is Barry's nephew and was exposed to superpower-giving electro-chemicals when visiting his uncles laboratory as a child.

[Rappy Veteran]

Justice League on Hold

Just got a call from our trusted source in Australia involved with the pre-production of Justice League with an update on its status.

Word came down today that the film is officially on hold. This will be until, at the very least, after the Writers strike has been resolved. Right now it's looking like at least until June.

But for now, WB's Justice League live action movie is on hold!

Late last week, we brought you the news that a decision would be made this week regarding the status of the Justice League production and that the crew was preparing for the worst.

Well, it's a good thing they prepared because the worst has come.

Our source is solid, he's a crew member working directly on the production team down in Australia. He says the big meeting took place yesterday. They've decided on a one-week notice to all of the employees - this is a standard practice in Australian filmmaking as a courtesy when letting people go.

We've heard the crew is already looking for other work. Some crew people are literally twiddling their thumbs waiting for the one-week notice to officially be given out tomorrow. So, starting tomorrow, they've got one week left to go.

Officially the movie has not been cancelled, but put on indefinite hold. This is confirmed and the news has filtered down to the entire production crew.

That's the latest! We'll keep you updated as it develops!

[Rappy Veteran]

Justice League Officially Cancelled?

I'm in Long Beach at the Speed Racer junket and I briefly cornered producer Joel Silver to ask him how the Justice League movie would affect Wonder Woman. The answer: it won't. According to Silver, who would be in the know, Justice League has been 'tabled.'

That means a lot of you can breathe a sigh of relief; while 'tabled' doesn't mean the film is officially canceled, it's likely that it won't be happening any time soon, and likely without that cast.

As for Wonder Woman, Silver said it takes time to get these films made - he had Speed Racer in development for twenty years. He's still trying to get DC's Amazon on the screen but doesn't have much else to report right now.

[Mathachew Veteran]

YES! Let it be true! Table then cancel! That would make me happy :)

[Rappy Veteran]

Justice League Back On?

Also, about that Justice League movie? Unfortunately, I?m hearing it might be back on. Seems like after the success of Marvel Entertainment?s Iron Man, DC is hot to get some projects on the fast track. I haven?t been able to confirm this with a second source, but it looks like the project might not be as dead as everyone first believed. And if so, is George Miller still in line to helm the project or did Warner Bros reach out to another SUPER director? I just wish this project would die the death it deserves. Either that or get a director to completely overhaul everything, because right now it smells like bad goods.

[Guest]

The Flash deserves his own film.

[SuperJediMedia]

So, Justice League is dead?

Who did they wanted for Wonder Woman?

[Rappy Veteran]

There was to many names attached to Wonder Woman to actually know who was up for it

[Rappy Veteran]

Watch out, Christian Bale?there's a new Batman coming to town!

His name is Armie Hammer, an unknown actor handpicked by Mad Max and Happy Feet director George Miller to play Bruce Wayne and his Caped Crusader alter ego in the upcoming superhero-filled Justice League Mortal.

Hammer insists he has not intention of stirring up a battle of the Batmans. "That guy's got his s--t down," Hammer says of Bale.

Even so, Hammer does point out that there's at least one big difference between the two. "My codpiece is bigger," he said with a laugh the other day from Vancouver, where he's shooting the CW's The Reaper (he plays the son of the devil).

While there have been reports that the Justice League flick has been shelved because of too many setbacks (including the writers' strike), Hammer says he hopes to see it get made...

They were supposed to shoot in Australia, where Hammer and his castmates suffered through several months of physical training.

"I would spend hours training with actual guns to prepare me for this stuff," Hammer said. "It was very intense. Our workout regimens were so rigorous that most of us would vomit."

He added, "We weren't trying to get ourselves aesthetically good looking. We were trying to get ready for the demands of shooting."

Not that the 22-year-old great-grandson of oil tycoon Armand Hammer has anything to worry about in the looks department. At 6'5" with a smile and hulking body to match, he has movie star written all over him.

He's already been fitted for the superhero costume, which he says features functioning equipment, including trademark Batman weapons like spring-loaded titanium Bat-erangs. "I was looking down, and I was thinking, This is the best," Hammer said of the first time he put on the entire ensemble. "Then I stood up, and they turned me around, and I faced a mirror?there was Batman. But then it hit me like a ton of bricks?it's not just Batman, it's me!"

For now, Hammer is working on spreading the word on a much different project. He stars as the Rev. Billy Graham in Billy, an independent film about the religious leader's early years costarring Bionic Woman star Lindsay Wagner as his mother and Martin Landau as a lifelong friend.

Hammer hasn't met the 89-year-old Graham yet, but he's been told the movie has his blessing.

"It's one of the more terrifying and intimidating things," Hammer said about playing arguably the world's most famous Christian evangelist. "If I go up there and portray Billy Graham not exactly as Billy Graham, there are a billion people on this planet who will say, 'That's not Billy Graham!' "

[Source]